Quadcopter with a printable payload extension system and method

ABSTRACT

A method and system of printable payload extensions of a quadcopter are disclosed. In one aspect, a quadcopter includes an airframe and a central portion of the airframe having at least one of an upper extender mechanism and a lower extender mechanism. The central portion includes a connection means that enables users of the quadcopter to design payload extensions that mechanically couple with the quadcopter using a three-dimensional (3D) printing device in conformance with the connection means as long as the payload extensions have a weight less than a maximum payload capacity of the quadcopter. The connection means to couple any of a set of payload extensions including a hook assembly, an interlocking building block platform assembly, a DSLR camera assembly, a HD camera assembly, and a container assembly through the central portion of the airframe.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

This disclosure relates generally to the technical field of mechanicalengineering, and in one embodiment, to a method, system and apparatus ofa quadcopter with a printable payload extension.

BACKGROUND

Quadcopters may be designed to serve a single purpose. It may bedifficult, impractical, and/or dangerous to alter quadcopters to serveadditional and/or different purposes. Further, accessories forquadcopters may be limited and/or may require significant work to makethe accessories able to attach and/or function on the quadcopter. As aresult, the applications of quadcopters may be limited and/or use ofquadcopters may become costly and/or unsafe.

SUMMARY

A method and a device of printable payload extensions of a quadcopterare disclosed. In one aspect, a quadcopter includes an airframe and acentral portion of the airframe having at least one of an upper extendermechanism and a lower extender mechanism. The central portion includes aconnection means that enables users of the quadcopter to design payloadextensions that mechanically couple with the quadcopter using athree-dimensional (3D) printing device in conformance with theconnection means as long as the payload extensions have a weight lessthan a maximum payload capacity of the quadcopter. The connection meansto couple any of a set of payload extensions including a hook assembly,an interlocking building block platform assembly, a DSLR cameraassembly, a HD camera assembly, and a container assembly through thecentral portion of the airframe.

A first pair of rotors may include of a first rotor and a second rotorphysically enclosed in the airframe. An undercarriage may bemechanically coupled on a lower side of the airframe. A second pair ofrotors may include of a third rotor and a fourth rotor mechanicallycoupled to the undercarriage. The second pair of rotors may fold outwardwith a pivot of the undercarriage in a manner such that the second pairof rotors extend substantially perpendicularly to the first pair ofrotors, such that the first rotor may be substantially perpendicular thethird rotor and the second rotor is substantially perpendicular thefourth rotor when in an extended mode. The second pair of rotors mayfold underneath the first pair of rotors such that the first pair ofrotors and the second pair of rotors are substantially parallel to eachother in a folded mode of the undercarriage of the quadcopter.

The first pair of rotors may be substantially above the second pair ofrotors in the folded mode, such that the first rotor may besubstantially above the third rotor and/or the second rotor issubstantially above the fourth rotor when in the folded mode. The secondpair of rotors may fold outward with the pivot of the undercarriage inthe manner such that the second pair of rotors extend substantiallyperpendicularly to the first pair of rotors, such that the first rotormay be substantially perpendicular the fourth rotor and the second rotormay be substantially perpendicular the third rotor when in the extendedmode. The second pair of rotors may extend substantially perpendicularlyto the first pair of rotors through a quarter turn of a central axis ofthe quadcopter coupling the airframe to the undercarriage. The quarterturn may pivot the second set of rotors to the extended mode. Thequadcopter may enter a flyable condition when in the extended mode.

The quadcopter may automatically enable an electronic circuitry of thequadcopter when in the flyable condition. The airframe of the quadcoptermay include an upper extender mechanism and/or a lower extendermechanism in a central portion of the airframe. The undercarriage maywrap around the lower extender mechanism in a manner such that the lowerextender mechanism is enclosed by the undercarriage. The maximum payloadcapacity may be between one and twenty pounds. The central portion mayencompass a cavity in which a securing means may provide for convenientinsertion and/or ejection of a battery powering the quadcopter when acover of the upper extender mechanism is removed.

The cavity may include a processor and/or a memory and/or acommunication circuitry comprising at least one of a radio frequencycircuitry, a wifi circuitry, and/or a cellular communication circuitry.A pair of fan-out payload extensions may span out from opposing faces ofthe undercarriage to provide tensile strength during a landing of thequadcopter. The airframe of the quadcopter may include a built-in camerain an encasing of at least one of the first rotor and/or the secondrotor of the quadcopter. The airframe may include a return home buttonto autonomously direct the quadcopter to a predetermined location.

In another aspect, a method of a quadcopter includes enabling users ofthe quadcopter to design payload extensions that mechanically couplewith an airframe of the quadcopter using a three-dimensional (3D)printing device in conformance with a connection means as long as thepayload extensions have a weight less than a maximum payload capacity ofthe quadcopter. Any of a set of payload extensions are coupled through acentral portion of an airframe using the connection means. A cavity ofthe airframe includes a processor and a memory and a communicationcircuitry comprising at least one of a radio frequency circuitry, a wificircuitry, and a cellular communication circuitry. The central portionof the airframe has at least one of an upper extender mechanism and alower extender mechanism.

A second pair of rotors may be folded outward with the pivot of anundercarriage in a manner such that the second pair of rotors extendsubstantially perpendicularly to a first pair of rotors, such that afirst rotor may be substantially perpendicular a third rotor and/or asecond rotor may be substantially perpendicular a fourth rotor when inan extended mode. The first pair of rotors comprising of the first rotorand the second rotor may be physically enclosed in the airframe. Theundercarriage may be mechanically coupled on a lower side of theairframe. The second pair of rotors comprising of the third rotor andthe fourth rotor may be mechanically coupled to the undercarriage. Thesecond pair of rotors may be folded underneath the first pair of rotorssuch that the first pair of rotors and the second pair of rotors aresubstantially parallel to each other in a folded mode of theundercarriage of the quadcopter.

The first pair of rotors may be substantially above the second pair ofrotors in the folded mode, such that the first rotor is substantiallyabove the third rotor and the second rotor is substantially above thefourth rotor when in the folded mode. The second pair of rotors may foldoutward with the pivot of the undercarriage in the manner such that thesecond pair of rotors extend substantially perpendicularly to the firstpair of rotors, such that the first rotor is substantially perpendicularthe fourth rotor and the second rotor is substantially perpendicular thethird rotor when in the extended mode. The second pair of rotors may beextended substantially perpendicularly to the first pair of rotorsthrough a quarter turn of a central axis of the quadcopter coupling theairframe to the undercarriage. The quarter turn may pivot the second setof rotors to the extended mode. The quadcopter may enter a flyablecondition when in the extended mode.

An electronic circuitry of the quadcopter may be automatically enabledwhen in the flyable condition. The undercarriage may wrap around thelower extender mechanism in a manner such that the lower extendermechanism is enclosed by the undercarriage. The maximum payload capacitymay be between one and twenty pounds. A cavity may be encompassed in thecentral portion in which a securing means to provide for convenientinsertion and/or ejection of a battery powering the quadcopter when acover of the upper extender mechanism is removed. The set of payloadextensions may include a hook assembly, an interlocking building blockplatform assembly, a DSLR camera assembly, a HD camera assembly, and/ora container assembly. A pair of fan-out payload extensions may span outfrom opposing faces of the undercarriage to provide tensile strengthduring a landing of the quadcopter. A built-in camera may be included inan encasing of at least one of the first rotor and the second rotor ofthe quadcopter. A return home button may autonomously direct thequadcopter to a predetermined location.

In yet another aspect, a quadcopter includes an airframe and a centralportion of the airframe having an upper extender mechanism and a lowerextender mechanism. The central portion includes a connection means thatenables users of the quadcopter to design payload extensions thatmechanically couple with the quadcopter using a three-dimensional (3D)printing device in conformance with the connection means as long as thepayload extensions have a weight of at least one of a weight less than amaximum payload capacity of the quadcopter and a weight equal to themaximum payload capacity of the quadcopter. A second pair of rotorsfolds underneath a first pair of rotors such that the first pair ofrotors and the second pair of rotors are substantially parallel to eachother in a folded mode of the quadcopter.

The methods, systems, and apparatuses disclosed herein may beimplemented in any means, materials, and forms for achieving variousaspects, and some of which may be executed in a form of amachine-readable medium embodying a set of instructions that, whenexecuted by a machine, cause the machine to perform any of theoperations disclosed herein. Other features will be apparent from theaccompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitationin the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like referencesindicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1A is a folded mode top view of a quadcopter in a folded mode,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 1B is a folded mode bottom view of the quadcopter of FIG. 1A in thefolded mode, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a pivoted undercarriage view of the quadcopter, according toone embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an extended mode bottom view of the quadcopter of FIG. 2 in anextended mode, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4A is a front view of the quadcopter of FIG. 2 in a flyablecondition, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4B is a front view of the quadcopter of FIG. 4A with a pair offan-out payload extensions in a protracted mode, according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 5 is a connection means view of multiple assemblies of thequadcopter, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cavity view of the quadcopter, according to one embodiment.

Other features of the present embodiments will be apparent from theaccompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A method, apparatus and system of printable payload extensions of aquadcopter are disclosed. In the following description, for the purposesof explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order toprovide a thorough understanding of the various embodiments. It will beevident, however to one skilled in the art that the various embodimentsmay be practiced without these specific details.

In one embodiment, a quadcopter 100 includes an airframe 102 and acentral portion of the airframe 110 having at least one of an upperextender mechanism 114 and a lower extender mechanism 124. The centralportion includes a connection means 502 that enables users of thequadcopter 100 to design payload extensions that mechanically couplewith the quadcopter 100 using a three-dimensional (3D) printing devicein conformance with the connection means 502 as long as the payloadextensions have a weight less than a maximum payload capacity of thequadcopter 100. The connection means 502 to couple any of a set ofpayload extensions including a hook assembly 506C, an interlockingbuilding block platform assembly 506A, a DSLR camera assembly, a HDcamera assembly 506D, and a container assembly 506B through the centralportion of the airframe 110.

A first pair of rotors 104 may include of a first rotor 106 and a secondrotor 108 physically enclosed in the airframe 102. An undercarriage 116may be mechanically coupled on a lower side 202 of the airframe 102. Asecond pair of rotors 118 may include of a third rotor 120 and a fourthrotor 122 mechanically coupled to the undercarriage 116. The second pairof rotors 118 may fold outward with a pivot 204 of the undercarriage 116in a manner such that the second pair of rotors 118 extend substantiallyperpendicularly to the first pair of rotors 104, such that the firstrotor 106 may be substantially perpendicular the third rotor 120 and thesecond rotor 108 is substantially perpendicular the fourth rotor 122when in an extended mode 300. The second pair of rotors 118 may foldunderneath the first pair of rotors 104 such that the first pair ofrotors 104 and the second pair of rotors 118 are substantially parallelto each other in a folded mode of the undercarriage 116 of thequadcopter 100.

The first pair of rotors 104 may be substantially above the second pairof rotors 118 in the folded mode, such that the first rotor 106 may besubstantially above the third rotor 120 and/or the second rotor 108 issubstantially above the fourth rotor 122 when in the folded mode. Thesecond pair of rotors 118 may fold outward with the pivot 204 of theundercarriage 116 in the manner such that the second pair of rotors 118extend substantially perpendicularly to the first pair of rotors 104,such that the first rotor 106 may be substantially perpendicular thefourth rotor 122 and the second rotor 108 may be substantiallyperpendicular the third rotor 120 when in the extended mode 300. Thesecond pair of rotors 118 may extend substantially perpendicularly tothe first pair of rotors 104 through a quarter turn of a central axis402 of the quadcopter 100 coupling the airframe 102 to the undercarriage116. The quarter turn may pivot 204 the second set of rotors to theextended mode 300. The quadcopter 100 may enter a flyable condition 400when in the extended mode 300.

The quadcopter 100 may automatically enable an electronic circuitry 408of the quadcopter 100 when in the flyable condition 400. The airframe102 of the quadcopter 100 may include an upper extender mechanism 114and/or a lower extender mechanism 124 in a central portion of theairframe 110. The undercarriage 116 may wrap around the lower extendermechanism 124 in a manner such that the lower extender mechanism 124 isenclosed by the undercarriage 116. The maximum payload capacity may bebetween one and twenty pounds. The central portion may encompass acavity 602 in which a securing means 606 may provide for convenientinsertion and/or ejection of a battery 608 powering the quadcopter 100when a cover 604 of the upper extender mechanism 114 is removed.

The cavity 602 may include a processor 610 and/or a memory 612 and/or acommunication circuitry 614 comprising at least one of a radio frequencycircuitry, a wifi circuitry, and/or a cellular communication circuitry614. A pair of fan-out payload extensions 404 may span out from opposingfaces of the undercarriage 116 to provide tensile strength during alanding of the quadcopter 100. The airframe 102 of the quadcopter 100may include a built-in camera 406 in an encasing of at least one of thefirst rotor 106 and/or the second rotor 108 of the quadcopter 100. Theairframe 102 may include a return home button 112 to autonomously directthe quadcopter 100 to a predetermined location.

In another embodiment, a method of a quadcopter 100 includes enablingusers of the quadcopter 100 to design payload extensions thatmechanically couple with an airframe 102 of the quadcopter 100 using athree-dimensional (3D) printing device in conformance with a connectionmeans 502 as long as the payload extensions have a weight less than amaximum payload capacity of the quadcopter 100. Any of a set of payloadextensions are coupled through a central portion of an airframe 102using the connection means 502. A cavity 602 of the airframe 102includes a processor 610 and a memory 612 and a communication circuitry614 comprising at least one of a radio frequency circuitry, a wificircuitry, and a cellular communication circuitry 614. The centralportion of the airframe 110 has at least one of an upper extendermechanism 114 and a lower extender mechanism 124.

A second pair of rotors 118 may be folded outward with the pivot 204 ofan undercarriage 116 in a manner such that the second pair of rotors 118extend substantially perpendicularly to a first pair of rotors 104, suchthat a first rotor 106 may be substantially perpendicular a third rotor120 and/or a second rotor 108 may be substantially perpendicular afourth rotor 122 when in an extended mode 300. The first pair of rotors104 comprising of the first rotor 106 and the second rotor 108 may bephysically enclosed in the airframe 102. The undercarriage 116 may bemechanically coupled on a lower side 202 of the airframe 102. The secondpair of rotors 118 comprising of the third rotor 120 and the fourthrotor 122 may be mechanically coupled to the undercarriage 116. Thesecond pair of rotors 118 may be folded underneath the first pair ofrotors 104 such that the first pair of rotors 104 and the second pair ofrotors 118 are substantially parallel to each other in a folded mode ofthe undercarriage 116 of the quadcopter 100.

The first pair of rotors 104 may be substantially above the second pairof rotors 118 in the folded mode, such that the first rotor 106 issubstantially above the third rotor 120 and the second rotor 108 issubstantially above the fourth rotor 122 when in the folded mode. Thesecond pair of rotors 118 may fold outward with the pivot 204 of theundercarriage 116 in the manner such that the second pair of rotors 118extend substantially perpendicularly to the first pair of rotors 104,such that the first rotor 106 is substantially perpendicular the fourthrotor 122 and the second rotor 108 is substantially perpendicular thethird rotor 120 when in the extended mode 300. The second pair of rotors118 may be extended substantially perpendicularly to the first pair ofrotors 104 through a quarter turn of a central axis 402 of thequadcopter 100 coupling the airframe 102 to the undercarriage 116. Thequarter turn may pivot 204 the second set of rotors to the extended mode300. The quadcopter 100 may enter a flyable condition 400 when in theextended mode 300.

An electronic circuitry 408 of the quadcopter 100 may be automaticallyenabled when in the flyable condition 400. The undercarriage 116 maywrap around the lower extender mechanism 124 in a manner such that thelower extender mechanism 124 is enclosed by the undercarriage 116. Themaximum payload capacity may be between one and twenty pounds. A cavity602 may be encompassed in the central portion in which a securing means606 to provide for convenient insertion and/or ejection of a battery 608powering the quadcopter 100 when a cover 604 of the upper extendermechanism 114 is removed. The set of payload extensions may include ahook assembly 506C, an interlocking building block platform assembly506A, a DSLR camera assembly, a HD camera assembly 506D, and/or acontainer assembly 506B. A pair of fan-out payload extensions 404 mayspan out from opposing faces of the undercarriage 116 to provide tensilestrength during a landing of the quadcopter 100. A built-in camera 406may be included in an encasing of at least one of the first rotor 106and the second rotor 108 of the quadcopter 100. A return home button 112may autonomously direct the quadcopter 100 to a predetermined location.

In yet another embodiment, a quadcopter 100 includes an airframe 102 anda central portion of the airframe 110 having an upper extender mechanism114 and a lower extender mechanism 124. The central portion includes aconnection means 502 that enables users of the quadcopter 100 to designpayload extensions that mechanically couple with the quadcopter 100using a three-dimensional (3D) printing device in conformance with theconnection means 502 as long as the payload extensions have a weight ofat least one of a weight less than a maximum payload capacity of thequadcopter 100 and a weight equal to the maximum payload capacity of thequadcopter 100. A second pair of rotors 118 folds underneath a firstpair of rotors 104 such that the first pair of rotors 104 and the secondpair of rotors 118 are substantially parallel to each other in a foldedmode of the quadcopter 100.

FIG. 1A is a folded mode top view 150 of a quadcopter 100 in a foldedmode 101, according to one embodiment. In particular, FIG. 1A shows thequadcopter 100, an airframe 102, a first pair of rotors 104, a firstrotor 106, a second rotor 108, a central portion of the airframe 110, areturn home button 112, and an upper extender mechanism 114. In oneembodiment, the airframe 102 may be made of carbon fiber, plastic, apolymer substance with sufficient rigidity to provide structuralsupport, and/or rubber. The airframe 102 may be composed of injectionmolded plastic and/or 3D printed plastic. The airframe 102 may have arubber lining (e.g., a bumper) covering the external horizontal edge ofthe airframe 102. This may enable the quadcopter 100 to come intocontact with objects without causing damage and/or marking (e.g.,scuffing) of the quadcopter 100 and/or objects.

In one embodiment, the airframe 102 of the quadcopter 100 may be in theshape of a peanut, a circle, a square, a triangle, and/or another shape.The airframe 102 may physically enclose a first pair of rotors 104comprising a first rotor 106 and a second rotor 108. The rotors (e.g.,the first rotor 106, the second rotor 108, a third rotor 120, and/or afourth rotor 122) may be composed of plastic, carbon fiber, metal,and/or a polymer material. The rotors may be the same size or differentsizes. In one embodiment, the rotors (e.g., the first rotor 106 and thesecond rotor 108) may be 7-12 inch rotors. The rotors may be any sizenecessary to attain flight (e.g., lift and/or sustained flight).

The first pair of rotors 104 may be substantially above and/or parallelwith a second pair of rotors 118 (shown in FIG. 1B) when the quadcopter100 is in the folded mode 101 of an undercarriage 116 (shown in FIG.1B), such that the first rotor 106 is substantially above a third rotor120 and the second rotor 108 is substantially above a fourth rotor 122.The central portion of the airframe 110 may contain the upper extendermechanism 114 and/or a lower extender mechanism 124 (shown in FIG. 1B).The upper extender mechanism 114 and/or lower extender mechanism 124 maybe physically coupled with the central portion of the airframe 110 usinga screw mechanism, a clipping mechanism, and/or another lockingmechanism.

The upper extender mechanism 114 and/or the lower extender mechanism 124may enable a user to mechanically attach a printed payload extension (asshown in FIG. 5). The extender mechanisms may be able to accommodatepayload extensions (e.g., custom printed extensions, three-dimensionallyprinted extensions, and/or extensions manufactured through other means(e.g., injection molding)) as long as the payload extensions have aconnecting side (shown in FIG. 5) compatible with the connection means502 of the extender mechanism(s). In one embodiment, the cover 604 mayhave a connecting side with the proper (e.g., compatible) connectionmeans (e.g., securing means 606 of FIG. 6) to couple with the connectionmeans 502 of the upper extender mechanism 114 and/or lower extendermechanism 124.

The airframe 102 may include a return home button 112 (e.g., adepress-able button and/or a selection on a screen interface). Thereturn home button 112 may enable a user of the quadcopter 100 to sendthe quadcopter 100 back to a predetermined location (e.g., the locationfrom where it was sent, a home location, a pre-designated location,and/or a location of the user who sent the quadcopter 100 to its currentlocation). This may enable a lost quadcopter 100 to be easily returnedto a secure location and/or may enable a recipient of a delivery of thequadcopter 100 to return the quadcopter 100 quickly and easily. Thequadcopter 100 may also include a screen (e.g., a touch screen and/or adisplay screen) to enable user interaction and/or show details about thequadcopter 100, its owner, its task (e.g., delivery), and/or functionalstatus.

FIG. 1B is a folded mode bottom view 151 of the quadcopter 100 in thefolded mode 101, according to one embodiment. Particularly, FIG. 1Bshows an undercarriage 116, a second pair of rotors 118, a third rotor120, a fourth rotor 122, a lower extender mechanism 124, and a set ofrods 126. The undercarriage 116 may be physically associated with theairframe 102. The set of rods 126 (e.g., carbon fiber rods and/orplastic rods) may be connected with the lower extender mechanism 124and/or at least one of the second pair of rotors 118, at least one of apair of fan-out payload extensions 404 (shown in FIG. 4A), and/or amotor of at least one of the rotors (e.g., the third rotor 120 and/orthe fourth rotor 122).

In one embodiment, the second pair of rotors 118 may be substantiallyunderneath and/or parallel to the first pair of rotors 104 when thequadcopter 100 is in the folded mode 101 of the undercarriage 116. Thethird rotor 120 may be substantially underneath and/or parallel to thefirst rotor 106 and/or the fourth rotor 122 may be substantiallyunderneath and/or parallel to the second rotor 108 when theundercarriage 116 is in the folded mode 101.

FIG. 2 is a pivoted undercarriage view 250 of the quadcopter 100 in anextended mode 300, according to one embodiment. In particular, FIG. 2depicts a lower side 202 of the quadcopter 100 and a pivot 204. Theundercarriage 116 may be couple with the lower side 202 of thequadcopter 100 (e.g., the lower side 202 of the airframe 102). In oneembodiment, the second pair of rotors 118 may fold outward when theundercarriage 116 is pivoted. The pivot 204 may be a quarter (e.g., 90degree) turn on a horizontal plane. The lower extender mechanism 124and/or a portion of the lower extender mechanism 124 may act as aturning ring, enabling the pivot 204 via a spring lock mechanism. Thespring lock mechanism (e.g., a spring pin and/or a ball detent) mayinclude stoppers placed at a 90 degree angle from one another in orderto prevent 360 degree rotation. The lower extender mechanism 124 mayonly be able to rotate in a predetermined manner (e.g., clockwise topivot 204 the second pair of rotors 118 outward and/or counterclockwiseto pivot 204 the second pair of rotors 118 back inward, thereby pivotingthe undercarriage 116 back into the folded mode 101). The spring lockmechanism may require the application of a downward force (e.g., a pull)and/or torque in order to move the second pair of rotors 118 (e.g., thethird rotor 120 and/or the fourth rotor 122) outward.

In another embodiment, the third rotor 120 and/or fourth rotor 122 maybe folded outward without a pivot 204. Each rotor of the second set ofrotors may be independently moved outward and/or inward. The third rotor120 and/or fourth rotor 122 may be connected to extending means (e.g.,telescoping arms) that may enable the rotors to be moved from a foldedposition (e.g., under the airframe and/or first set of rotors). Inanother embodiment, the third rotor 120 and/or fourth rotor 122 mayextend outward from an airframe of the quadcopter 100 through a slidingmechanism in which the angle between the coupled points of two or morearms coupled with the rotor (e.g., directly or indirectly coupled) isdecreased as the rotors extend outward from the airframe.

FIG. 3 is an extended mode 300 bottom view 350 of the quadcopter 100 inan extended mode 300. When the undercarriage 116 is in the extended mode300 (e.g., when the second pair of rotors 118 have been folded outwardwith the pivot 204 of the undercarriage 116) the first pair of rotors104 may be substantially perpendicular to the second pair of rotors 118.The first rotor 106 may be substantially perpendicular to (e.g., at a 90degree angle in relation to) the third rotor 120 and/or the fourth rotor122 when the quadcopter 100 is in the extended mode 300 of theundercarriage 116. The second rotor 108 may be substantiallyperpendicular to the third rotor 120 and/or the fourth rotor 122 whenthe quadcopter 100 is in the extended mode 300 of the undercarriage 116.

FIG. 4A is a front view 450 of the quadcopter 100 in a flyable condition400. FIG. 4A shows the flyable condition 400, a central axis 402, a pairof fan-out payload extensions 404, a built-in camera 406, an electroniccircuitry 408, an encasing of the first rotor 410 106. The quadcopter100 may enter a flyable condition 400 when the second pair of rotors 118extend outward with the pivot 204 of the central axis 402 of thequadcopter 100 (e.g., when the quadcopter 100 is in the extended mode300). In one embodiment, an electronic circuitry 408 may beautomatically enabled when the quadcopter 100 enters the flyablecondition 400. The quadcopter 100 may automatically “turn on” when inthe flyable condition 400.

The pair of fan-out payload extensions 404 may be coupled with theundercarriage 116 in a manner in which the pair of fan-out payloadextensions 404 span out from ends of the undercarriage 116 and/or undereach rotor of the second pair of rotors 118. The fan-out payloadextensions may provide support for the quadcopter 100 when landingand/or resting on a surface. The fan-out payload extensions may besubstantially under and/or parallel to prop guards of the second pair ofrotors 118, such that the fan-out payload extensions do not protrudeoutward from a structural profile of the quadcopter 100 when in theextended mode 300 and/or the folded mode 101. In one embodiment, asurface of the fan-out payload extensions 404 that comes in contact withthe landing and/or resting surface may consist of a gripping materialand/or pattern (e.g., tredded rubber).

The airframe 102 may include the built-in camera 406. In the embodimentof FIG. 4A, the built-in camera 406 is shown as being included in theencasing of the first rotor 410. The built-in camera 406 may be inanother location in and/or on the airframe and/or the airframe mayinclude multiple built-in cameras 406. In one embodiment, the built-incamera 406 may have a single lens or multiple lenses. The built-incamera 406 may be capable of taking video and/or pictures, beingrotated, panned, and/or may be able to zoom in and/or out. The airframeand/or built-in camera 406 may have and/or be couple with astabilization mechanism (e.g., a shock absorber, an integrated cameratilt motor) which may automatically compensate for the quadcopter's 100motion and/or ensure smooth and/or optimal camera operation.

In one embodiment, the built-in camera 406 may use its own batteryand/or memory and/or use the battery 608 and/or memory 612 of thequadcopter 100. A USB port and/or other data transfer means may belocated on the quadcopter 100 to enable video and/or pictures capturedby the built-in camera 406 to be accessed directly from the quadcopter100. Video and/or pictures captured by the built-in camera 406 may tocapable of being communicated (e.g., using wifi, 3G and/or 4G) in realtime and/or upon request to a user device (e.g., a computer, a smartphone, a tablet, and/or a data processing system).

FIG. 4B is a front view 451 of the quadcopter of FIG. 4A with the pairof fan-out payload extensions in a protracted mode, according to oneembodiment. Particularly, FIG. 4B shows an extension means 412, aprotracted mode 414, and a camera assembly 416. The pair of fan-outpayload extensions 404 may have (e.g., include, be coupled with, beassociated with, and/or work in concert with) extension means 412 whichmay lower and/or raise at least one of the fan-out payload extensions.In one embodiment, the pair of fan-out payload extensions 404 may extenddown in order to enable the quadcopter 100 to land without causing apayload extension that is attached with the lower extender mechanism 124to come into contact with a landing surface (e.g., the ground).

In one embodiment, the extension means 412 may extend the at least oneof the pair of fan-out extension assemblies 404 by way of a telescopingmechanism, a sliding mechanism, and/or a folding mechanism in which thepair of fan-out extension assemblies 404 may fold from a positionparallel to the landing surface to a perpendicular position in relationto the landing surface. The quadcopter 100 may have multiple detachablefan-out extension assemblies. In one embodiment, the user may be able toattach an extension piece to the quadcopter (e.g., between the at leastone of the motor, propeller guard, rotor, and/or airframe and the atleast one of the pair of fan-out extension assemblies 404), fixing theat least one of the pair of fan-out extension assemblies 404 a distanceaway from the undercarriage 116 that enables the at least one of thepair of fan-out extension assemblies 404 to physically contact thelanding surface without the payload extension attached to the lowerextender mechanism 124 coming into contact with the landing surface.

The pair of fan-out payload extensions 404 may enter a contracted modewhile the quadcopter is in flight and/or may enter a protracted mode 414while in the process of landing (e.g., following the selection of alanding feature on a user device, upon receipt of landing instructionsby the quadcopter, and/or when below a threshold altitude). In oneembodiment, the extension means 412 may extend at least one of the pairof fan-out payload extensions 404 to a predetermined (e.g., by the userand/or the manufacturer) distance from the motor, prop guard, rotor,and/or airframe the at least one of the pair of fan-out payloadextensions 404 is located under. In another embodiment, the quadcoptermay use sensors to determine an appropriate distance to lower the atleast one of the pair of fan-out payload extensions 404 in order toaccommodate the payload extension (e.g., the camera assembly 416 shownin FIG. 4B) attached to the lower extender mechanism 124.

FIG. 5 is a connection means view 550 of a set of printable payloadextensions 504 capable of being physically associated with thequadcopter 100, according to one embodiment. Particularly, FIG. 5 showsa connection means 502 and the set of printable payload extensions 504(e.g., payload extensions) including an interlocking building blockplatform assembly 506A, a container assembly 506B, a hook assembly 506C,and an HD camera assembly 506D. The upper extender mechanism and/or thelower extender mechanism 124 may include a connection means (e.g., theconnection means 502) that enables users of the quadcopter 100 to attach(e.g., lock, affix, mechanically couple, and/or connect) payloadextensions to the quadcopter 100.

In one embodiment, the payload extensions may be created usingthree-dimensional (3D) printing. This may enable users to design and/orcreate custom printable payload extensions and/or attach the set ofprintable payload extensions 504 to the quadcopter 100 using theconnection means 502, as long as a connecting side 508 of the printableassembly is compatible with the connection means 502 (e.g., has aspecified size and/or complementary connection mechanism that acts as amechanical coupling partner (e.g., male and/or female end) with theconnection means 502). Users may be able to create any printableassembly (e.g., printable payload extension) they wish as long ascertain criteria are met. For example, the printable assembly and/orcontents may be required to be under a threshold weight and/or size, maynot be allowed to extend a certain distance past the airframe and/orcover one or more rotors, may need to meet certain safety standards,and/or may need to have a connecting side 508 that meets presetstandards (e.g., radius, width, length, composed of certain material,and/or comprising a connection mechanism (e.g., securing means 606)compatible with the connection means 502).

The hook assembly may enable users to attach items to the quadcopter 100(e.g., hook a sweatshirt to be transported) and/or may enable thequadcopter 100 to hook (e.g., pick up) items without users having tophysically attach the items to the hook mechanism of the hook assembly.In one embodiment, a battery assembly may be included in the set ofprintable payload extensions 504. The battery assembly may be connectedusing the connection means 502 and/or may include circuitry to enable abattery of the battery assembly to power the quadcopter 100. The batteryassembly may work in concert with a battery 608 of the quadcopter 100(shown in FIG. 6) and/or the battery 608 and the battery of the batteryassembly may be used individually (e.g., the battery of the batteryassembly may be used after the battery 608 of the quadcopter 100 hasreached a threshold level of charge). The set of printable payloadextensions 504 may include any printable assembly capable of beingconceived and/or created, provided a number of the abovementionedcriteria are met.

FIG. 6 is a cavity view 650 of the quadcopter 100. FIG. 6 shows a cavity602, a cover 604, a securing means 606, a battery 608, a processor 610,a memory 612, and a communication circuitry 614. In one embodiment, thecentral portion may contain the cavity 602 which may include the battery608, the processor 610, the memory 612, and/or the communicationcircuitry 614. The securing means 606 may secure the cover 604 (e.g., acover of the upper extender mechanism 114 and/or the lower extendermechanism 124) over the cavity 602. In one embodiment, the cover 604 maybe separate from the upper extender mechanism 114 and/or the lowerextender mechanism 124. The cover 604 may facilitate fast, easy, and/orconvenient insertion and/or ejection of the battery 608 powering thequadcopter 100.

The cavity 602 may include the processor 610 and/or the memory 612. Inone embodiment, the cavity 602 may include the communication circuitry614 which may enable the quadcopter 100 to communicate with a server,data processing device, smart phone, and/or computer. The communicationcircuitry 614 may include a radio frequency circuitry, a wifi circuitry,and/or a cellular communication circuitry. In one embodiment, thecommunication circuitry 614 may enable audio and/or visual data (e.g.,photographs and/or video) from the built-in camera 406, a microphoneassembly, and/or a camera assembly (e.g., the HD camera assembly 506D)to be communicated to the user, the server, and/or the data processingsystem upon request and/or in real time.

The cavity 602 may also include a sensory fusion circuitry and/or asensory fusion algorithm of a motherboard of the quadcopter 100. In oneembodiment, the sensory fusion algorithm and/or sensory fusion circuitrymay use input from one or more sensors of the quadcopter 100 (e.g., anultrasound sensor, a radio frequency sensor, a laser sensor, a radarsensor, an optical sensor, a stereo optical sensor, a global positioningdevice and/or sensor, and/or a LIDAR sensor) to enable the quadcopter100 to operate autonomously. In an example embodiment, the quadcopter100 may be able to autonomously return to a predetermined location usingthe sensory fusion circuitry, sensory fusion algorithm, and/or at leastone sensor when the return home button 112 is selected.

An example embodiment will now be described. In one embodiment, Ben mayhave several children with different interests. Ben may wish to use aquadcopter in order to film his youngest daughter's soccer matches.Ben's oldest daughter may wish to use the quadcopter for recreationalflying and may not want accessories to complicate her flight maneuvers.Ben's youngest child, his son, may wish to create building blockcreations and include the quadcopter in his play time. Ben's wife mayhave use of the quadcopter for sending and/or receiving deliveries toand/or from her neighbors.

Quadcopters may not be able to fulfill these diverse needs and/oraccessories may be complicated (e.g., requiring the attachment and asecuring means and/or alterations to the quadcopter) and/or unavailable.Ben may not be able to afford to purchase separate quadcopters for eachfamily member. Ben may see a neighbor using a Skyteboard™ quadcopter andmay purchase one of his own. The Skyteboard™ quadcopter may enable himto create and/or safely use any attachment he or a member of his familywishes.

Ben may be able to create a camera assembly (e.g., an assembly with itsown camera and/or an assembly to enable Ben to attach a camera to thequadcopter) and film is daughter's soccer matches. This may enableneighbors, parents of team members, and/or Ben's relatives to view thevideo (e.g., live and/or at a later time). Ben's oldest daughter may beable to fly the Skyteboard™ quadcopter without any accessories and/ormay be able to create and/or use an extra battery attachment to enableher to fly the Skyteboard™ quadcopter for longer continuous periods oftime. Ben's wife may be able to create various container assemblies tosafely and securely transport items (e.g., tools, presents, and/or fooditems) to and/or from neighbors. Ben's son may be able to create Lego™assemblies and/or seats so his favorite stuffed animal may ride(“pilot”) the Skyteboard™ quadcopter. The Skyteboard™ quadcopter mayenable Ben's family to get the most out of their purchase and may fuelcreativity while bringing new excitement to family time.

Although the present embodiments have been described with reference tospecific example embodiments, it will be evident that variousmodifications and changes may be made to these embodiments withoutdeparting from the broader spirit and scope of the various embodiments.It will be appreciated that the various mechanical assemblies describedherein may be created using a variety of materials, chemistries, sizes,forms, and compositions. In addition, it will be appreciated that someof the various operations, processes, and methods disclosed herein maybe embodied in a machine-readable medium and/or a machine accessiblemedium compatible with a data processing system (e.g., a computersystem), and may be performed in any order. Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A quadcopter, comprising: an airframe; a centralportion of the airframe having at least one of an upper extendermechanism and a lower extender mechanism, wherein the central portionincludes a connection means that enables users of the quadcopter todesign payload extensions that mechanically couple with the quadcopterusing a three-dimensional (3D) printing device in conformance with theconnection means as long as the payload extensions have a weight lessthan a maximum payload capacity of the quadcopter, and wherein theconnection means to couple any of a set of payload extensions includinga hook assembly, an interlocking building block platform assembly, aDSLR camera assembly, a HD camera assembly, and a container assemblythrough the central portion of the airframe.
 2. The quadcopter of claim1: a first pair of rotors comprising of a first rotor and a second rotorphysically enclosed in the airframe; an undercarriage mechanicallycoupled on a lower side of the airframe; and a second pair of rotorscomprising of a third rotor and a fourth rotor mechanically coupled tothe undercarriage.
 3. The quadcopter of claim 1: wherein the second pairof rotors fold outward with a pivot of the undercarriage in a mannersuch that the second pair of rotors extend substantially perpendicularlyto the first pair of rotors, such that the first rotor is substantiallyperpendicular the third rotor and the second rotor is substantiallyperpendicular the fourth rotor when in an extended mode, wherein thesecond pair of rotors to fold underneath the first pair of rotors suchthat the first pair of rotors and the second pair of rotors aresubstantially parallel to each other in a folded mode of theundercarriage of the quadcopter, wherein the first pair of rotors aresubstantially above the second pair of rotors in the folded mode, suchthat the first rotor is substantially above the third rotor and thesecond rotor is substantially above the fourth rotor when in the foldedmode, and wherein the second pair of rotors fold outward with the pivotof the undercarriage in the manner such that the second pair of rotorsextend substantially perpendicularly to the first pair of rotors, suchthat the first rotor is substantially perpendicular the fourth rotor andthe second rotor is substantially perpendicular the third rotor when inthe extended mode.
 4. The quadcopter of claim 1: wherein the second pairof rotors extend substantially perpendicularly to the first pair ofrotors through a quarter turn of a central axis of the quadcoptercoupling the airframe to the undercarriage, wherein the quarter turn topivot the second set of rotors to the extended mode, and wherein thequadcopter to enter a flyable condition when in the extended mode. 5.The quadcopter of claim 1: wherein the quadcopter to automaticallyenable an electronic circuitry of the quadcopter when in the flyablecondition, and wherein the airframe of the quadcopter to include anupper extender mechanism and a lower extender mechanism in a centralportion of the airframe.
 6. The quadcopter of claim 1: wherein theundercarriage wraps around the lower extender mechanism in a manner suchthat the lower extender mechanism is enclosed by the undercarriage. 7.The quadcopter of claim 1: wherein the maximum payload capacity isbetween one and twenty pounds.
 8. The quadcopter of claim 1: wherein thecentral portion to encompass a cavity in which a securing means toprovide for convenient insertion and ejection of a battery powering thequadcopter when a cover of the upper extender mechanism is removed. 9.The quadcopter of claim 1: wherein the cavity to include a processor anda memory and a communication circuitry comprising at least one of aradio frequency circuitry, a wifi circuitry, and a cellularcommunication circuitry.
 10. The quadcopter of claim 1: wherein a pairof fan-out payload extensions span out from opposing faces of theundercarriage to provide tensile strength during a landing of thequadcopter, wherein the airframe of the quadcopter to include a built-incamera in an encasing of at least one of the first rotor and the secondrotor of the quadcopter, and wherein the airframe to include a returnhome button to autonomously direct the quadcopter to a predeterminedlocation.
 11. A method of a quadcopter, comprising: enabling users ofthe quadcopter to design payload extensions that mechanically couplewith an airframe of the quadcopter using a three-dimensional (3D)printing device in conformance with a connection means as long as thepayload extensions have a weight less than a maximum payload capacity ofthe quadcopter; coupling any of a set of payload extensions through acentral portion of an airframe using the connection means; and includingin a cavity of the airframe a processor and a memory and a communicationcircuitry comprising at least one of a radio frequency circuitry, a wificircuitry, and a cellular communication circuitry, wherein the centralportion of the airframe having at least one of an upper extendermechanism and a lower extender mechanism.
 12. The method of thequadcopter of claim 11 further comprising: folding a second pair ofrotors outward with the pivot of an undercarriage in a manner such thatthe second pair of rotors extend substantially perpendicularly to afirst pair of rotors, such that a first rotor is substantiallyperpendicular a third rotor and a second rotor is substantiallyperpendicular a fourth rotor when in an extended mode.
 13. The method ofthe quadcopter of claim 11 further comprising: physically enclosing thefirst pair of rotors comprising of the first rotor and the second rotorin the airframe; mechanically coupling the undercarriage on a lower sideof the airframe; mechanically coupling the second pair of rotorscomprising of the third rotor and the fourth rotor to the undercarriage;and folding the second pair of rotors underneath the first pair ofrotors such that the first pair of rotors and the second pair of rotorsare substantially parallel to each other in a folded mode of theundercarriage of the quadcopter, wherein the first pair of rotors aresubstantially above the second pair of rotors in the folded mode, suchthat the first rotor is substantially above the third rotor and thesecond rotor is substantially above the fourth rotor when in the foldedmode, and wherein the second pair of rotors fold outward with the pivotof the undercarriage in the manner such that the second pair of rotorsextend substantially perpendicularly to the first pair of rotors, suchthat the first rotor is substantially perpendicular the fourth rotor andthe second rotor is substantially perpendicular the third rotor when inthe extended mode.
 14. The method of the quadcopter of claim 11 furthercomprising: extending the second pair of rotors substantiallyperpendicularly to the first pair of rotors through a quarter turn of acentral axis of the quadcopter coupling the airframe to theundercarriage, wherein the quarter turn to pivot the second set ofrotors to the extended mode; and entering a flyable condition when inthe extended mode.
 15. The method of the quadcopter of claim 11 furthercomprising: automatically enabling an electronic circuitry of thequadcopter when in the flyable condition.
 16. The method of thequadcopter of claim 11 further comprising: wrapping the undercarriagearound the lower extender mechanism in a manner such that the lowerextender mechanism is enclosed by the undercarriage.
 17. The method ofthe quadcopter of claim 11: wherein the maximum payload capacity isbetween one and twenty pounds.
 18. The method of the quadcopter of claim11 further comprising: encompassing the cavity in the central portion inwhich a securing means to provide for convenient insertion and ejectionof a battery powering the quadcopter when a cover of the upper extendermechanism is removed.
 19. The method of the quadcopter of claim 11:wherein the set of payload extensions include at least one of a hookassembly, an interlocking building block platform assembly, a DSLRcamera assembly, a HD camera assembly, and a container assembly.
 20. Themethod of the quadcopter of claim 11 further comprising: spanning a pairof fan-out payload extensions out from opposing faces of theundercarriage to provide tensile strength during a landing of thequadcopter; including in the airframe a built-in camera in an encasingof at least one of the first rotor and the second rotor of thequadcopter; and including a return home button to autonomously directthe quadcopter to a predetermined location.
 21. A quadcopter,comprising: an airframe; a central portion of the airframe having atleast one of an upper extender mechanism and a lower extender mechanism,wherein the central portion includes a connection means that enablesusers of the quadcopter to design payload extensions that mechanicallycouple with the quadcopter using a three-dimensional (3D) printingdevice in conformance with the connection means as long as the payloadextensions have a weight of at least one of a weight less than a maximumpayload capacity of the quadcopter and a weight equal to the maximumpayload capacity of the quadcopter, and wherein a second pair of rotorsto fold underneath a first pair of rotors such that the first pair ofrotors and the second pair of rotors are substantially parallel to eachother in a folded mode of the quadcopter.
 22. The quadcopter of claim21: wherein the first pair of rotors further comprises of a first rotorand a second rotor physically enclosed in the airframe, wherein theundercarriage is mechanically coupled on a lower side of the airframe,and wherein the second pair of rotors further comprises of a third rotorand a fourth rotor mechanically coupled to the undercarriage.
 23. Thequadcopter of claim 22: wherein the first pair of rotors aresubstantially above the second pair of rotors in the folded mode, suchthat the first rotor is substantially above the third rotor and thesecond rotor is substantially above the fourth rotor when in the foldedmode, wherein the second pair of rotors fold outward with the pivot ofthe undercarriage in the manner such that the second pair of rotorsextend substantially perpendicularly to the first pair of rotors, suchthat the first rotor is substantially perpendicular the fourth rotor andthe second rotor is substantially perpendicular the third rotor when inthe extended mode, wherein the second pair of rotors fold outward withthe pivot of the undercarriage in the manner such that the second pairof rotors extend substantially perpendicularly to the first pair ofrotors, such that the first rotor is substantially perpendicular thethird rotor and the second rotor is substantially perpendicular thefourth rotor when in an extended mode, and wherein the connection meansto couple any of a set of payload extensions including a hook assembly,an interlocking building block platform assembly, a DSLR cameraassembly, a HD camera assembly, and a container assembly through thecentral portion of the airframe.
 24. The quadcopter of claim 23: whereinthe second pair of rotors extend substantially perpendicularly to thefirst pair of rotors through a quarter turn of a central axis of thequadcopter coupling the airframe to the undercarriage, wherein thequarter turn to pivot the second set of rotors to the extended mode, andwherein the quadcopter to enter a flyable condition when in the extendedmode.
 25. The quadcopter of claim 24: wherein the quadcopter toautomatically enable an electronic circuitry of the quadcopter when inthe flyable condition.
 26. The quadcopter of claim 25: wherein theundercarriage wraps around the lower extender mechanism in a manner suchthat the lower extender mechanism is enclosed by the undercarriage. 27.The quadcopter of claim 26: wherein the maximum payload capacity isbetween one and twenty pounds.
 28. The quadcopter of claim 27: whereinthe central portion to encompass a cavity in which a securing means toprovide for convenient insertion and ejection of a battery powering thequadcopter when a cover of the upper extender mechanism is removed. 29.The quadcopter of claim 28: wherein the cavity to include a processorand a memory and a communication circuitry comprising at least one of aradio frequency circuitry, a wifi circuitry, and a cellularcommunication circuitry.
 30. The quadcopter of claim 29: wherein a pairof fan-out payload extensions span out from opposing faces of theundercarriage to provide tensile strength during a landing of thequadcopter, wherein the airframe of the quadcopter to include a built-incamera in an encasing of at least one of the first rotor and the secondrotor of the quadcopter, and wherein the airframe to include a returnhome button to autonomously direct the quadcopter to a predeterminedlocation.